Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Fresh Trump Crackdown on Brutal Mexican Cartel.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Trump administration sanctioned two top members of Cartel del Noreste, a violent Mexican drug cartel and U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.

👥 Who’s Involved: Miguel Angel de Anda Ledzema and Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda, leaders of Cartel del Noreste; U.S. Treasury Department; Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

📍 Where & When: Sanctions announced Wednesday; Cartel del Noreste operates near the Laredo, Texas border region.

💬 Key Quote: “We will continue to cut off the cartels’ ability to obtain the drugs, money, and guns that enable their violent activities,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

⚠️ Impact: The sanctions aim to disrupt Cartel del Noreste’s operations, including drug trafficking, arms procurement, and violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on two senior leaders of the Cartel del Noreste, a violent Mexican drug cartel and designated foreign terrorist organization, according to an announcement from the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted Miguel Angel de Anda Ledzema and Ricardo Gonzalez Sauceda for their roles in facilitating the cartel’s operations. Officials say the group exerts significant control over the border area near Laredo, Texas.

Ledzema, a high-ranking cartel member, was identified as overseeing the acquisition and trafficking of firearms into Mexico. According to the Treasury Department, he coordinated payments to U.S.-based straw purchasers who misrepresented themselves to obtain weapons, later smuggling them into Nuevo Laredo. One such weapon was reportedly recovered after a March 2024 cartel attack on the Mexican military.

Sauceda, previously second-in-command of the cartel, was arrested in February by Mexican authorities. He allegedly led an armed enforcement unit and was linked to violent assaults on Mexican military and police forces. At the time of his arrest, he was found with firearms, methamphetamine, and fentanyl pills.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the administration’s commitment to confronting the cartel threat, stating, “We will continue to cut off the cartels’ ability to obtain the drugs, money, and guns that enable their violent activities.” Bessent also highlighted the cartel’s role in campaigns of violence, intimidation, and terrorism that endanger communities on both sides of the border.

The sanctions were coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

Paul Perez, President of the National Border Patrol Council, praised the administration’s actions, saying they fulfill President Donald J. Trump’s promise to prevent cartels from operating with impunity. “These actions deal a significant blow and send the message to all cartels that President Trump will follow through,” Perez stated.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

4X Annual Jump in U.S. Measles Cases in 2025, Just 5 Months Into The Year.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Measles cases are rising in the United States, on course to reach their highest annual total since the 1990s.

👥 Who’s Involved: Communities in Texas and several other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Health and Human Services, and other state health departments.

📍 Where & When: Several U.S. states, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity.” — Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family.

⚠️ Impact: With three in every 1,000 children infected dying from the disease, the number of deaths could increase if case numbers are not brought under control.

IN FULL:

Measles cases in the United States are already almost four times last year’s figures, potentially approaching numbers not seen since the 1990s. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveal that Texas alone has seen 718 cases this year, while the number of cases has surpassed 1,000 across the country.

The Texas outbreak has been attributed to a specific area in the west of the state. It has been reported mainly in children who are either not vaccinated against the disease or have an unknown vaccination status. Two children have died from the disease: an eight-year-old girl and another school-aged child.

Texas Health and Human Services states that 93 of the 718 cases required those infected to be hospitalized over the course of the outbreak, but the current number hospitalized is likely much lower.

Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family, told the media that the Mennonite community was most affected by the outbreak initially. Still, cases have also spread to other communities.

“In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity… We fear the number of actual cases may be much higher than reported due to confusion and delays in the outbreak response,” Ramirez said.

Before the controversial MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine was released in 1963, the United States saw nearly 500,000 cases of measles per year. More recently, the last major outbreak took place in 1990, when over 27,000 cases were reported. The last flare-up occurred in 2019, with 1,274 cases.

Measles can be a serious disease for children and can kill those who have no other underlying symptoms. Three out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will likely die, while one in 1,000 can develop severe brain damage.

Image by Raed Mansour.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Texas Moves to Block Land Sales to Hostile Nations.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Texas House advanced Senate Bill 17, which restricts land sales to individuals and entities from specific foreign nations deemed national security threats. The legislation’s House and Senate versions will now be reconciled before receiving final votes for approval in the state House and Senate.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott (R), state Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R), state Representative Cole Hefner (R), and members of the Texas legislature.

📍 Where & When: Texas; preliminary approval in the House last week and reconciliation conferees appointed on May 14, with potential enactment on September 1, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “As Senate Bill 17 has moved through the legislative process, we have taken the utmost care not to reduce the ability to buy property for those who have fled oppressive regimes and want to build an American life here. As the bill currently stands, those individuals who come here lawfully and remain here lawfully still have that opportunity,” says Rep. Hefner.

⚠️ Impact: If passed, the bill would restrict property purchases by individuals and entities from nations deemed security threats, with exemptions for lawful permanent residents.

IN FULL:

The Texas House of Representatives has advanced Senate Bill 17, a measure aimed at restricting land purchases by individuals and entities from countries identified as national security threats. The bill, originally filed by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R), has undergone significant amendments in the House before receiving preliminary approval in an 85-60 vote. Differences between the legislative text approved by the House and Senate will now be reconciled by conferees appointed by each chamber before the bill receives final votes of approval and heads to Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) to be signed into law.

If enacted, S.B. 17 would allow Gov. Abbott to determine which nations and entities will be deemed national security threats and face restrictions. Currently, the list includes China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, as designated by the United States National Director of Intelligence.

After moving from the Senate, where the legislation was approved along a 24-7 vote, the text of S.B. 17 underwent a series of changes through amendments in the House. These changes included narrowing an exemption for leased property. While the Senate version exempted leases of under 100 years, the House limited this to leases of one year or less. Additionally, lawmakers amended the bill to exempt lawful permanent residents from the restrictions.

“As Senate Bill 17 has moved through the legislative process, we have taken the utmost care not to reduce the ability to buy property for those who have fled oppressive regimes and want to build an American life here,” the bill’s House sponsor, Representative Cole Hefner (R), told the media. He added: “As the bill currently stands, those individuals who come here lawfully and remain here lawfully still have that opportunity.”

Texas Democrats have attempted to portray the legislation as an attempt to strip property rights from immigrants, with far-left state Rep. Gene Wu (D) claiming the bill’s supporters are motivated by “hate.” According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Chinese investors currently own less than on percent of all foreign-held acreage in the United States. Combined, Russian, Iranian, and North Korean investors own fewer than 3,000 acres.

If the reconciled text receives final approval in both legislative chambers, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, applying to property purchases made after that date.

Image by Cory Doctorow.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Texas Blocks Construction of Islamic ‘EPIC City.’

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the halting of all construction on EPIC City, a planned Islamic settlement near Dallas.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the East Plano Islamic Center, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍 Where & When: Announcement made on Sunday; project located outside Dallas, Texas.

💬 Key Quote: “Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating.” – Governor Greg Abbott.

⚠️ Impact: Multiple investigations launched into EPIC City, including potential violations of constitutional rights and state laws.

IN FULL:

Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has announced that all construction on EPIC City, a proposed development near Dallas, Texas, designed exclusively for Muslims, has been halted. Abbott confirmed the decision on Sunday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating the project is under investigation for potential legal violations.

“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City,” Abbott stated. “There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating.”

The planned development, centered around the East Plano Islamic Center, had drawn scrutiny for allegedly intending to impose sharia law on its residents and for reportedly planning to exclude non-Muslims from purchasing or renting property. Critics,have raised concerns about potential constitutional violations. Cornyn is currently facing a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), with the latter leading in early polls.

“A master-planned ‘community of thousands of Muslims’ could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans,” Cornyn noted, adding that such a project could discriminate against non-Muslim minorities. He called for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether the development would provide equal protection under the law for all residents.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced his office is examining communications between the East Plano Islamic Center and officials in nearby towns, including Plano, Richardson, and Wylie. Paxton emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “If any local official is supporting or communicating with a real estate development that is under investigation for potential violations of state law, then it’s imperative that we are made aware of exactly what’s being communicated.”

The controversy surrounding EPIC City comes amid broader concerns about similar developments in Texas. Colony Ridge, a massive community near Houston, has faced criticism for allegedly becoming a hub for illegal immigrants and crime. That development is also under investigation by federal and state authorities.

Governor Abbott noted that over a dozen state agencies are involved in investigating EPIC City, particularly whether its reported practices of religious-based housing discrimination would violate Texas law. The investigations remain ongoing.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Texas Approves Elon Musk’s Starbase as Official City.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Residents of Boca Chica Village voted to incorporate the SpaceX launch site as an official city, now called Starbase, Texas.

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, SpaceX employees, and Boca Chica Village residents.

📍 Where & When: Starbase, Texas; vote held recently.

💬 Key Quote: Elon Musk stated, “Starbase, Texas, is now a real city!”

⚠️ Impact: The incorporation supports SpaceX’s operations and underscores the influence of America’s private sector in space exploration.

IN FULL:

Residents of Boca Chica Village have overwhelmingly voted to incorporate the SpaceX launch site as an official city, now named Starbase, Texas. The vote, which ended with a tally of 212 to six in favor, marks a significant milestone for Elon Musk‘s vision of expanding SpaceX’s footprint and influence in the Lone Star State.

The new city, Starbase, spans approximately 1.5 square miles and includes parts of the unincorporated Boca Chica Village. “Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity’s place in space,” the new city of Starbase wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

SpaceX owner Elon Musk celebrated the formation of the new city, writing on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, “Starbase, Texas, is now a real city!” The incorporation is expected to streamline processes for building necessary amenities, making it a world-class community centered around the space industry.

Currently, about 260 SpaceX employees reside in the area, with their families bringing the total to around 500. An additional 3,100 employees live in nearby Brownsville, 34 miles away. Musk first proposed Starbase in 2021, following the county’s rejection of SpaceX’s attempt to construct townhouses for its workers.

In December, SpaceX outlined its intentions to incorporate the area around the launch facility in a letter to southern Texas officials. The move aims to create a thriving economic ecosystem, reminiscent of towns built around manufacturing facilities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Greg Abbott Unveils ‘Texas DOGE’ Initiative.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill to establish the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), likening it to the national Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott, Texas legislature, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Phil King, President Donald J. Trump, and Elon Musk.

📍 Where & When: Texas, United States; bill signed on Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: Abbott on social media: “Texas will now have our own DOGE… This will make government more efficient and less costly.”

⚠️ Impact: The TREO aims to streamline state regulations by identifying and eliminating unnecessary rules to increase efficiency and promote economic growth.

IN FULL:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has officially enacted a law establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), drawing inspiration from President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which technology and space exploration mogul Elon Musk advises. Signed into law late Wednesday, the TREO is designed to reduce state bureaucracy by identifying superfluous and ineffective regulations, thereby mirroring the objectives of the federal DOGE.

The Texas Legislature had previously approved the bill, which was introduced by Republican Senator Phil King. The bill also calls for the creation of an advisory council to recommend the elimination of excessive regulations found to be redundant or that hamper economic growth. Additionally, it mandates the launch of an online portal where Texans can access state agency regulations, coupled with a requirement for agencies to simplify language in regulatory documents.

“Signed SB 14 into law today at the Texas Capitol. Texas will now have our own DOGE, known as the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office,” Gov. Abbott wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday. “This will make government more efficient and less costly. Texas continues to move at the speed of business.”

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has expressed support for the initiative, noting that it is expected to foster continued economic prosperity in Texas by reducing regulatory red tape. The Republican Lieutenant Governor described the initiative as “DOGE, Texas-style” and emphasized that the agency will be tasked with identifying and ending “unnecessary and ineffective rules.”

However, not all Texas Republicans support the new agency. Texas State Representative Brian Harrison (R), who opposed the bill creating TREO, argued during the legislative debate: “The point of DOGE is to cut government, reduce spending, and shrink the bureaucracy. Unfortunately, this bill does the exact opposite.”

Harrison and other opponents contend that TREO’s regulatory prerogatives already overlap with existing bodies like the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. Critics argue this will create more government waste rather than less.

TREO is set to begin operating in September.

Image by World Travel & Tourism Council.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Trump’s Immigration Policies Are Normalizing Life on the Border for Residents.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, which had been closed and fortified with concertina wire and armed guards for over a year, has reopened.

👥 Who’s Involved: Local residents like Dora Flores, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, former President Joe Biden, and Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr.

📍 Where & When: Eagle Pass, Texas, reopened in recent days after closures and heightened security started in January 2024.

💬 Key Quote: Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. stated, “We’re happy the park has returned to the city.”

⚠️ Impact: The reopening represents a shift in the politics surrounding immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border and a decrease in the perceived urgency of security measures.

IN FULL:

Residents of Eagle Pass, Texas, experienced a return to normalcy as the once-closed Shelby Park reopened, shedding the concertina wire and armed presence that kept it inaccessible for more than a year. The move comes after President Donald J. Trump’s border policies have significantly reduced illegal crossings in the area.

The reopening followed Texas Governor Greg Abbott‘s withdrawal of significant security measures, citing a decrease in migrant crossings at the border. In January 2024, Abbott had deployed forces to the area as a demonstration against former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. However, with crossings reaching a record low, the focus has shifted, and the enhanced security presence has been significantly reduced.

Local residents like Dora Flores, 73, approached the park on a warm Monday morning, noting the changes. “Is the park really open?” she asked, expressing relief that the area no longer resembled a high-security facility. The park, equipped with sports fields and a boat ramp into the Rio Grande, is once again available for public use. Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. commented on the developments, stating, “We’re happy the park has returned to the city.”

President Trump’s strict border policies have massively reduced the number of illegal crossings. These include sending U.S. military personnel to aid in border security. The chief of San Diego’s Border Patrol said having troops on the border was a “force multiplier” last month.

March saw a record-low number of illegal border crossings, a massive 97 percent decline compared to March 2022. President Trump’s mass deportation initiative under Border Czar Tom Homan has also been credited for dissuading illegal crossing attempts.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Trump-Backed School Choice Program Texas Is Poised to Adopt Will Be Largest in U.S.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Texas House, during an extended session, passed a $337 billion budget proposal, including a large-scale school choice initiative. The budget bill now heads to a conference committee that will reconcile differences between the versions passed by the Texas House and Senate before receiving a final vote on passage. 

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX), lawmakers in the Texas state legislature, school choice advocates, and Texas Democrats who oppose the budget bill and school choice program.

📍 Where & When: The debate took place in Texas on April 10, 2025, with the House passing the budget bill early Friday morning.

💬 Key Quote: Governor Abbott stated, “The fact is that we are going to pass school choice this session. At the same time, we’ll ensure Texas public schools receive record funding.”

⚠️ Impact: The budget measure seeks to distribute funds for educational savings accounts, affecting 100,000 students, and includes plans for property tax relief and increased border security funds.

IN FULL:

The Texas House engaged in a lengthy session on Thursday to debate the state’s $337 billion budget proposal, which includes a provision establishing the largest school choice program in the United States. After hours of debate and consideration of over 390 amendments —with only 25 being adopted—lawmakers moved to adopt the budget measure early on Friday morning, moving the school choice program one step closer to becoming a reality. The bill now heads to a conference committee that will reconcile differences between the House-passed budget and a version passed earlier this year by the Texas Senate.

If enacted, budget legislation would allocate $1 billion towards educational savings accounts, affecting roughly 100,000 Texas students. Additionally, the measure allows families to utilize public funds for differing educational expenses, such as private school tuition and homeschooling. President Donald J. Trump announced his support for the Texas school choice program in February, writing on Truth Social: “The Texas House must now pass School Choice to deliver a gigantic Victory for Texas students and parents… We need School Choice passed in every State!”

Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has also backed the school choice provision in the budget, contending that it will simultaneously bolster educational outcomes and empower families in their education decisions. “The fact is that we are going to pass school choice this session,” Abbott wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “School choice creates competition and guarantees a better education for ALL students.”

Additional elements of the proposal include $11.2 billion for property tax relief and a record-setting $6.5 billion for border security. However, Democrat lawmakers in the state legislature have signaled they will oppose the final budget bill—though it appears unlikely they will be able to prevent its passage.

Image by Chmorich.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more

Texas GOP Congressman Backs Paxton Over Cornyn in Senate Showdown.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Republican Rep. Lance Gooden endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas GOP Senate primary against longtime Sen. John Cornyn.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Lance Gooden, Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, President Donald Trump, Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Sen. Tim Scott.

📍 Where & When: The endorsement was made in Texas on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “Attorney General Paxton is the conservative champion we need in the U.S. Senate,” stated Rep. Lance Gooden.

⚠️ Impact: The endorsement increases pressure in a primary that could turn into a costly and contentious contest. The GOP primary winner will likely be favored in the general election.

IN FULL:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton‘s Republican primary bid against U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is receiving some early support. Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), who represents parts of Eastern Dallas and is known for his MAGA allegiance, announced he is endorsing Paxton for Senate—a sign that populist and Trump-backing Republicans in the state could soon follow suit. The Texas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate is anticipated to be particularly contentious and costly.

Paxton, who has served as Attorney General since 2014, announced his Senate run earlier this week. He cites a need for change and a stronger representation of conservative values. He argues for aligning more closely with President Donald J. Trump’s agenda. Paxton has accused Cornyn of failing to support conservative principles and questions his loyalty to Trump.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate since 2002, has backing from significant Republican figures, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRCC) also endorses Cornyn. However, while he claimd that his voting record shows steadfast support for Trump’s policies, he initially opposed his bid to reclaim the presidency in 2024, and argued congressional Republicans should not oppose the lawfare prosecutions of America First leader.

While Trump could weigh in on the race with an endorsement—likely all but deciding the primary’s winner—such an action appears unlikely at the moment. Paxton’s campaign is characterized by his stance as a staunch conservative and ally to Trump, and the Trump-style lawfare against him—including an attempted but failed impeachment pushed by establishment Republicans and Democrats in the Texas legislature.

Despite the attention currently on Paxton and Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) could also enter the race.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more
ken paxton acquitted

Trump Ally Ken Paxton Confirms Primary Challenge Against RINO Sen. John Cornyn.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, Texas Republicans, and Donald J. Trump supporters.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in Texas this week.

💬 Key Quote: Paxton declared, “It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” in his announcement.

⚠️ Impact: The primary could strengthen the America First movement in the Senate, displacing the Bush-type Cornyn in favor of one of President Trump’s strongest supporters.

IN FULL:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has confirmed his intent to challenge U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in an upcoming Republican primary. The announcement signals a potentially contentious race for one of Texas’s Senate seats—which Cornyn has held since 2002.

Paxton, who has held his current office since 2015, argues that the state requires a change in leadership. “I’m announcing that I’m running for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn, who apparently is running again for his fifth term, which would put him there three decades. It’s definitely time for a change in Texas,” he told Laura Ingraham.

Cornyn’s team is attempting to portray him as an ally to President Donald J. Trump while personally attacking Paxton and branding him a “fraud.” However, Paxton’s record as a Trump supporter is solid, while Cornyn previously argued against the America First leader standing for reelection in 2024 and lobbied Congress not to oppose the lawfare campaign against him.

“John Cornyn condemned the House GOP for investigating Soros-backed DA Alvin Bragg’s political persecution of President Trump,” Paxton recalled in March, contending that the incumbent “was always desperate for the bogus witch hunt to succeed.”

An early poll conducted by Texas Public Opinion Research shows Paxton leading Cornyn by a ten-point margin. Another poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates found Paxton leading by an even larger margin of 53 to 28 percent, rising to 70 percent to just 14 percent on an “informed ballot.”

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more